Electrical contact

Abstract

An electric contact capable of terminating a few conductors of different thicknesses. The contact comprises a contacting section provided for contact with a mating contact and a connecting section provided behind the contacting section for connection to a conductor. The connecting section has at least two piercing walls lying in spaced parallel planes perpendicular to the axis of a conductor. The piercing walls having a piercing slit which is made wider than those preceding the piercing slit.

I claim: 
     
       1. An electrical contact having a generally U-shaped cross section, with a pair of side walls extending upright from a base plate, which comprises: a contacting section provided at a front end of said contact for contact with a mating contact;   a connecting section provided behind said contacting section for connection to at least one conductor;   said connecting section having at least three piercing walls lying in spaced parallel planes each perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said conductor;   said piercing walls each having a piercing slit which is made wider progressively toward a rear end of said contact; and   a pair of engaging means provided at opposite upper side edges of each said piercing wall for engagement with said side walls, whereby each said piercing wall is held firmly in place.   
     
     
       2. The electrical contact of claim 1, wherein a last of said piercing walls is integral with said side walls substantially at right angles; one side of said last piercing wall has a latch recess on a free end; and   the other side of said last piercing wall has on a free end a spear-shaped latch tab for engagement with said latch recess to prevent separation of said last piercing wall.   
     
     
       3. The electrical contact of claim 1, wherein said engaging means is a projection extending laterally from an upper side edge. 
     
     
       4. The electrical contact of claim 1, wherein said side wall has a notch for engagement with said projection of said piercing wall. 
     
     
       5. An electrical contact having a generally U-shaped cross section, with a pair of side walls extending upright from a base, which comprises: a contacting section for contact with a mating contact;   a connecting section provided behind said contacting section for connection to at least one conductor, said connecting section including:   a piercing portion having at least one piercing wall for piercing a sheath of a relatively thin conductor suitable for carrying an electrical signal, coming to direct contact with a core wire of said relatively thin conductor;   a crimping portion provided behind said piercing portion and having a pair of crimping tabs to be deformed to a plurality of exposed core wires of a relatively thick cable suitable for carrying electric power;   a strain relief portion provided behind said crimping portion and having a pair of strain relief stabs to be deformed to said relatively thin conductor and said relatively thick cable; and   said piercing portion, said crimping portion, and said strain relief portion being on a longitudinal axis of said connecting section so that said connected conductors are positioned at varying heights with respect to said base plate.   
     
     
       6. The electrical contact of claim 5, wherein said piercing walls are disposed in parallel planes perpendicular to an axis of said conductor and each have a slit which is wider than the slit of a preceeding piercing wall. 
     
     
       7. The electrical contact of claim 5, wherein said piercing wall and said crimping tabs extend in the same direction. 
     
     
       8. An electrical contact which comprises: a contacting section for contact with a mating contact;   a connecting section provided behind said contacting section for connection to at least one conductor, said connecting section including:   a piercing portion having a generally U-shaped cross section, with a pair of side walls extending upright from a base, and at least one piercing wall for piercing a sheath of a relatively thin conductor suitable for carrying an electrical signal, coming to direct contact with a core wire of said relatively thin conductor;   a first strain relief portion provided behind said piercing portion and having a pair of strain relief tabs extending upright to be deformed to said relatively thin conductor;   a crimping portion provided behind said first pair of strain relief tabs and having a pair of crimping tabs extending downwardly from said base to be deformed to a plurality of exposed core wires of a relatively thick cable suitable for carrying electric power; and   a second strain relief portion provided behind said crimping portion and having a pair of strain relief tabs extending downwardly to be deformed to said relatively thick cable.